Between January and July this year, the Federal District registered an increase of 55.9% in syphilis cases, compared to the same period in 2022. According to the Health Department, 3,138 diagnoses were reported in the first seven months of this year – being, on average, 14 infections per day – compared to 2,013 last year.
Most cases are present among men and in the age group of 15 to 29 years. The numbers consider cases discovered in public and private health networks.
In 2020, 2,154 cases were reported and in 2021, 2,199, according to the SES Syphilis Epidemiological Bulletin. The consolidated data for the year 2022 will be released in October, when the National Day to Combat Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis is celebrated (10/19).
The technical responsible for the epidemiological surveillance of syphilis at SES, Daniela Mendes Magalhães, attributes the increase to changes in the population’s sexual behavior, in which there is a reduction in the regular and correct use of condoms. Furthermore, according to her, the jump in the number of cases can also be related to the lack of adequate information about reproductive health.
“The problem is not sexual activity, but the lack of information. In fact, if more people were tested, more cases could be detected and treated, avoiding the risk of congenital syphilis. It is much better for the woman to find out before pregnancy, so that the pregnancy goes smoothly and prevents transmission to the baby”, says she, who is a member of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance Management. “Diagnosis prevents the development of serious symptoms and cuts the chain of transmission”, she adds.
Magalhães also points out that the greater presence of syphilis in the 15 to 29 age group is due to a lack of knowledge about reproductive health. “These are young people who start their sexual life without proper guidance”, he points out. “We need to invest in educational campaigns that impact the population. We must talk about sexually transmitted infections in schools and in spaces occupied by them, teaching how to use condoms correctly and consistently”, he points out.
Testing and treatment
Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) divided into stages. The diagnosis is obtained by rapid tests, available in all basic health units (UBSs) in the DF and at the Testing and Counseling Center, located at 508 Sul. The result is revealed in 30 minutes.
“It’s super simple: the professional makes a hole in the person’s finger, takes a blood sample and the device begins the evaluation. We wait 30 minutes to avoid incorrect results and, within a maximum of one hour, the person will already know their serological status and receive the appropriate treatment”, explains the technical manager.
Treatment consists of intramuscular application of the antibiotic benzathine penicillin. Depending on the level of infection, to be assessed by the health professional, one or three doses are recommended, with the first occurring on the same day of diagnosis and the others in subsequent weeks. In addition, the patient also receives serological monitoring every three months and, within a year, is discharged.
The infection
The main way to avoid syphilis is to use condoms correctly and regularly. However, serological testing is also important, as Magalhães explains: “When I know my serological condition, I can treat myself, if necessary, and prevent other people from becoming infected. Did you take your child to get vaccinated and never get tested? Take advantage and ask for the quick test, take care of your health.”
Syphilis is transmitted mainly through sexual contact or contact with lesions. Initially, the infection is characterized by the appearance of a wound in the area where the person was infected, commonly the genital or oral area. The injury heals on its own, without any type of treatment being applied, within two to six weeks.
Then, lesions and spots appear on the body, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as well as fever, malaise and headache. Symptoms last between four and 12 weeks. The lesions can be confused with allergies, but they are not itchy or painful. When encountering symptoms, the person should immediately seek medical attention and stop any type of sexual intercourse without using a condom.
Then, there is a latency period, in which no signs of infection are observed. The last stage can take from 2 to 40 years to begin. At this stage, the inflammation caused by syphilis causes tissue destruction and involvement of the nervous system and cardiovascular system is common, with a risk of disfigurement, disability and even death.
Therefore, any suspicion should serve as a stimulus for testing. “Syphilis has symptoms that resemble several diseases, we even say that it is a misleading condition. If you have a skin lesion, such as an ulcer, on the genital or oral part, which does not hurt, does not itch, looks like a cold sore but is not, seek testing”, warns Magalhães.
The information is from Agência Brasília
The post Syphilis cases increase 55.9% in DF; Health reinforces awareness appeared first in Jornal de Brasília.
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